Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-10-21
OUR NEXT-DOOR neighbours.

The pre;ticst AID most fashionable part OF
Bayswater-to my mind, at least-is Alton
Terrace, Alton Road. 1t is a broad open
road. The houses are large and elegant, the
trees are noted for their luxurlant foliage the
gardens attached 10 each mansion are OF un-
usual size, the conservatorles present uniform
brillaucy OF bloom. There Is no trace Of the
poverty and misery, the d 1T and squsler that
abound IN the great city Everything speaks
81 wealth, fashion, aud cultivated taste.
The houses are semi-detachei Some peo-
pie consider that drawback; but, IL the
ncIt-l0ur neighbours are pleasant and agree
able, do not see how It can be considered
one. IL Is true Il brings people into such cosc
conueNlon that 10 seems rs though they occu
pied but one house and formed but one fam
fly. That WAS essentially the case in Alton
Terrace, The two houses had but one back
entrance, but one gate that would admit
carriage, hut one entrance 20 the stables, aud
many other things iu common. 1t beloved us
therefore 20 b. on friendly terms with our
neighbours. The people who lived in Alton
Tcruc, were most OF them wealthy aul fash
iopahle. II Was cousid red a piece Of rare
GOOD fortune % be able To secure house
ihcre We were all proud OF oag .oca .ty
Ny "r tier and myself had lvri AZ No. (
Tor many years. He WAS born there. ours is
4 sad story. Nv dear father WAS killed In
railway accident | was then about fifteen
aud my baby brother only two years old My
mother wore away her lie by constantly
gricy,ng after the husband she loved SO dear
~, aud we were left alone and almost friend
less Fortunately We had not "a suffer from
want for my father had been wealthy man,
and hls property was fairly divided between
ny brother aud myself. An Old aunt OF my
mother's-almost the only relative We had
came 10 live with us aud she managed the
house until was able to do SO myself
Ny baby-brother Gerald was my sole charge.
] have no words with which TO tell how dearly
loved nm l tried to take his mothers
place and succeeded. | gave nv life TO
him. Years aud years ago loved ard might
have married, but the man loved was going
abroad, and, when he asked me to join him
aud share his home in India, was obliged u
refuse, for | coult not leave ny brother. He
was educated at Oxford, and Was proud Of
his talents. Although he had property
enough to live quite comfortably upon, nv
brother was ambitious and positively refused
to live at his ease. lie liked work, and work
he would. "A profession" he said "diyni-
nes a m,n." He chose the Bar much to nv
delight, for bad feared that he would choose
a militar. life
At this time Gerald Desmond Fitzgerald
n name II which my brother was very proud
was one OF the finest aud noblest young
men ever knew. He was no., strictly speak
ing handsome; but he had thou yhtful face
With large dark eyes aud firm, sensitive lips.
He was tall aud well made; aud frank open
disposition, kindly genial nature, with a
fund Of high spirits and a quaint love OF
humour, made him the delight of all who
knew him. The only way In which II was
possible TO offend him was by turning his
beautiful name into a very vulgar one, aud
calling him Jerry" instead Of Gerald"
This panied him exceedingly; he could bear
anything better than that I am sure he
would rather have lost all his fortune than
have gone through life as Jerry Fitzgerald"
lie was rising in his professiOn-altogethe
II would have been difficult To find a happier
man. He had no trouble or care, no anxiety,
save for his clients; his home was pleasant
nay more than that We were really CAV, for
We were both fond Of society, and our even
ings were delightful, and II We did not see
our friends at home, we were sure to receive
invitations for two or three evening parties
every week. Perhaps one secret IF our pop
uarity was the weli-known fact that Gerald
was "a most excellent match" How many
fair young fac smiled and bushed and
frightened under his glance! How polite
and attentive all the "nRnmas" were 10 me,
asking ny advice about Dear Laura" aud
Jane" "a though were matrer instead OF
an Ilt mot flas
had won Gerald yet; aud, when rallied him
about the pretty girls who evidently cared for
h IN he only laughed and said that he liked
his sister best
Our next-dOor neighbours for many years
were AN old gentleman and his WIFE, SIr. and
Mrs. Martin; he was retired merchant, sup
posed TO have accumulated large fortune.
Everyone felt regret when he died and bis
widow announced her intention OF leaving
London altogether. No one regretted It SO
much as did, for ! WAS deeply attached 20
my beautiful home, and what was 20 become
OF me If we should have dsagrecsble neigh
boursi Half the comfort Of my life would be
destroyed II was therefore with great
anxiety that watched the persons rhc came
10 look at the house.
One morning q very grand but rather snowy
GfOVs up 10 the uOOr, anu 5LOuL
inpcrous- looking lady descended. She was
accompanied by two tall elegantly dressed
girls; and was infinitely amused BY the airs
and graces OF the whole party. They were
very fine ladies sndeed-so they evdcntly con.
sdered themselves. An o5sequiors but
gaudily dressed tOotmsn attended them, and
they spent some considerable time In looking
over the house. ! heard the eldest lady say
as she returned 10 the carriage
THE house is very well; If the neighbour
hood suits me, shall take il; but Of course
we must be particular in knowing who our
neighbours are"
This little speech, on being duly reported TO
Gerald, caused him great amusement. Tn.
fortunately could not describe the personal
appearance OF the ladies, as they were closely
yelled. Apparently all Inquiries were salts
factorily answered, for ia a few DAYS the
house was full Of workmeE, painting, paper.
ing, and making alterations OF all kinds. In
less than a mouth large vans AZ furniture ar.
rived, and finally the family took possession
Of their new abode. We were infinitely amused
at their name. On the second day Of their